When EGREPA was founded in 1992 it was not expected that the need for research in the area of physical activity for the elderly would increase as it did during the past 21 years. Physical activity and aging has become a rapidly growing field of interdisciplinary science.

To meet these challenges EGREPA provides a platform for researchers to exchange ideas and cooperate in joint projects. It also serves as a leader in creating expert opinions, broadening and disseminating knowledge in the field of physical activity and aging.

As President of EGREPA, I look forward to another stimulating year. Our official journal, the “European Review of Aging and Physical Activity (EURAPA)”has reached an IF of .95. It has an increasing submission rate and a growing number of published articles. Springer Publishers entitles EGREPA members to receive EURAPA for free!

The most topical news for our members, members to-be, colleagues and friends is the announcement of the 13th EGREPA Conference 2014.

The Board of EGREPA and I are happy to announce that the 13th EGREPA Conference will be held from 12-15 June, 2014 in Netanya, Israel. It will be part of the international “2014 Wingate Congress of Exercise and Sport Sciences”. The topic of our 13th Conference is a central theme of the Wingate Congress - “Active Aging – A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Third and Fourth Age”.

EGREPA members, as participants of the EGREPA Conference are at the same time participants of the Wingate Congress and entitled to the same privileges. The registration fees for EGREPA members are $400 instead of $450 and include refreshments, lunch on the three congress days, participation in the opening ceremony and the closing social event at the end of the congress, as well as a congress participant's bag and a book of abstracts. These special conditions are a unique opportunity to join EGREPA or to renew your membership.

The promotion of young scholars is an integral part of the aims of the EGREPA organization. It is vital to the growth and development of the science community. For this reason the 13th EGREPA Conference wishes to grant a Young Investigators Award for the best oral presentation and the best poster presentation in the conference. The Award Regulations can be found in the emails you receive, under the EGREPA homepage, respectively the EGREPA-Window, which can be found in the general 2014 Wingate Congress homepage. Students and young scientists who plan to apply for travel grants will get a certificate upon demand by EGREPA following their registration as a member of EGREPA.

Conferences are never exclusively of scientific value but open new opportunities of communication, future cooperation and far reaching social experiences. In addition to the scientific value of the congress, Israel has a deep historical and cultural background which undoubtedly will provide you with unforgettable experiences.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the 13th EGREPA Conference at Wingate,